Last night we spent a quiet evening making our first batch of homemade paper from scraps lying around the apartment. It was a simple and satisfying process that I’d like to continue experimenting with, perhaps with plant materials and natural dyes next. For now, we’ve made ourselves some pretty little signs to identify our growing herbs.

How to Make Homemade Paper

(Makes 1 sheet)

Things you’ll need:
Un-glossy paper
Piece of cloth
Flat sieve
Measuring cup
Bowl
Blender
Chopping board
Water

Directions:
1] Tear up some small paper bits (about 2 cups worth) and place in a large bowl.
2] Add 1 cup of warm water and leave paper bits to soak for 30 minutes.
3] Pour liquid and soaked-up paper bits into a blender and add 2 more cups of water.
4] Blend on medium-setting until you’re left with a mushy pulp (you can leave tiny bits in your pulp for looks and added texture).
5] Pour mixture evenly over top of your flat sieve, draining out the water into a bowl below.
6] Once your paper pulp is evenly poured over your sieve, place it onto a flat service or large chopping board.
7] Gently use a roller to flatten and strain out excess water in your pulp paper.
8] Throw a piece of cloth on top of your pulp paper and gently push down on the surface, squeezing out any extra water.
9] Once the cloth has soaked up remaining water, very carefully flip your sieve upside down so that your paper pulp is now resting flat on the cloth.
10] Leave your pulp paper to dry an hour.
11] Once the pulp has settled a little, you can flip the sieve upside down again, and gently peel away your pulp paper.
12] Leave your pulp paper to dry on flat surface for 5-10 hours.

Voila, you have paper!